Textual Tension artwork

Textual Tension

150 episodes - English - Latest episode: 6 days ago - ★★★★★ - 56 ratings

The comedy podcast that unpacks the bananas world of romance novels.

Books Arts Comedy comedy romance literature books book reviews social commentary feminism
Homepage Apple Podcasts Google Podcasts Overcast Castro Pocket Casts RSS feed

Episodes

Episode 95: Gayotic

June 14, 2022 04:00 - 1 hour - 52.7 MB

Happy Pride everyone! We hope that you all are out there being gay and doing crime! (OK maybe not crime...well maybe. IDK live  your dream. Can you tell Margie edited this week yet?) This week, Rachel tells Margie all about Erica Ridley's The Perks of Loving a Wallflower. And can we just say...it's pretty gay. Gay enough? No, never. But pretty gay!

Ep. 94: Loose Wet Shrimp

May 31, 2022 04:00 - 1 hour - 52.8 MB

Who's ready for something wholesome? We sure are! Well...maybe "wholesome" isn't quite right...but we're still in to it! Margie is telling Rachel all about The Penalty Box by Odette Stone! Its sports ball time!  Check out our Instagram  :  Twitter  :  Facebook  :  Goodreads  :   Website

Ep. 93: Omni-Dimensional Caine of Cocainewood

May 17, 2022 04:00 - 1 hour - 52.8 MB

We're back baby! Rachel and Margie are back from hiatus with a truly terrible book. Get our your corkboards and red string because Rachel is telling us all about Julie Garwood's, Guardian Angel! Check out our Instagram  :  Twitter  :  Facebook  :  Goodreads  :   Website

Throwback - Ep. 45: Abandon All Hope Ye Who Enter Here

May 03, 2022 04:00 - 1 hour - 53.3 MB

It's throwback time! Rachel and Margie need a bit of a break this week, so we're reaching back into the archives and pulling out a true gem. You KNOW we had to pick a Fabio-adjacent episode to once more show the world! Amethysts? Check. Highwaymen? Check. One of the craziest books Rachel and Margie have ever discussed? Double check. Join us as Rachel tells Margie all about Heather and Velvet by Teresa Medeiros. Strap on your kilt and grab your Scotch! We're going to Scotland!

Ep. 92: Ravioli Ravioli Give Me the Formuoli

April 19, 2022 04:00 - 1 hour - 50.8 MB

Strap in folks! We're getting kidnapped by the Mafia this week! Well...the Bratva I guess... Margie is telling Rachel all about Ravaged Crown, by Nicole Fox. A book that's definitely about the fast casual dining wars and not horrific men...On a completely related note: Domestic Abuse Hotline: 800-799-7233 Check out our Instagram  :  Twitter  :  Facebook  :  Goodreads  :   Website

Ep. 91: We Are Trash!

April 05, 2022 04:00 - 1 hour - 53.2 MB

Here at Textual Tension we love the classics. This isn't one! Rachel is telling Margie all about romance in the 17th century in Sabrina Jeffrey's, Silver Deceptions! A classic only in the sense that it's a classic episode! Check out our Instagram  :  Twitter  :  Facebook  :  Goodreads  :   Website

Episode 90: Mars Needs Moms!

March 21, 2022 04:00 - 1 hour - 58.4 MB

How do you feel about...aliens? How about...architects?....How about hot Dads who need a nanny? Well guess what, the book Alien Architect Needs a Nanny by Tasha Black has you covered! Listen as Margie tells Rachel about this surprisingly less wild than expected ride!

Ep. 89: Cinnamon the Spicy Horse

March 08, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour - 52 MB

No bummers today! Your Co-hosts are back with a much more wholesome book this week! Listen in as Rachel tells Margie all about Destiny's Captive by Beverly Jenkins. Who's ready for some good, old-fashioned piracy? Check out our Instagram  :  Twitter  :  Facebook  :  Goodreads  :   Website

Ep. 88: We're Sorry

February 22, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour - 51.8 MB

Did it finally happen? Did Margie finally find a book that broke the Textual Tension ladies? You be the judge! Listen in as Margie tells Rachel all about The Spirit Path by Madeline Baker.  Definitely unrelated, but if you're interested in learning more about the Sioux Nation, check out their website!  Check out our Instagram  :  Twitter  :  Facebook  :  Goodreads  :   Website

Ep. 87: Dead Bodies and Stripper Rocks

February 08, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour - 55.3 MB

It took 87 episodes, but we've done it. This is the episode that broke your Co-Host Rachel. But HOW did it break her? Listen in as Rachel tells Margie all about Dinah McCall's, Mimosa Grove to find out! Want to learn something cool about Voodoo? Check out these podcasts! Blurry Photos: Voodoo and Hoodoo Spirits: Erzulies and Haitian Voodoo Check out our Instagram  :  Twitter  :  Facebook  :  Goodreads  :   Website

Ep. 86: Tiffany Hates Him

January 25, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour - 54 MB

Holy podcast guests Batman! Margie is joined this week by Rebecca and Tiffany of The Ladies of Strange to tackle all things "wait...what?" Margie tells the ladies all about L. J. Shen's, Viscous. Seriously. Not even Tiffany likes this guy! Check out The Ladies of Strange! Check out our Instagram  :  Twitter  :  Facebook  :  Goodreads  :   Website

Ep. 85: Name that Trauma!

January 11, 2022 05:00 - 1 hour - 56.8 MB

How hard is too hard? How many bad things does a bad guy need to  do to be considered "bad"? Rachel and Margie tackle these question and more as they discuss Catherine Anderson's, Cherish.  Check out our Instagram  :  Twitter  :  Facebook  :  Goodreads  :   Website

Ep. 84: Use Your Outside Voice

December 28, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 51.3 MB

We're ending 2021 on a high note! We think we all deserve it. Margie takes Rachel out West and tells her all about Julie Harrington and Lori Wilde's, Montana Blaze. Honestly what is up with these book titles? Literally nothing is on fire! Check out our Instagram  :  Twitter  :  Facebook  :  Goodreads  :   Website

Ep. 83: Grassy Ass (feat. The Golden Ghouls)

December 07, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 60.3 MB

Some stories are too crazy to tackle on your own. Thankfully the the Golden Ghouls were willing to step up to the challenge! Join the gang as they attempt to unpack Gena Showalter's newest book: Heartless. Normally, we'd put a fun little teaser about the book here, but you know what? We think you just need to listen for yourself. Check out our Instagram  :  Twitter  :  Facebook  :  Goodreads  :   Website

Ep. 82: The Chamber of Tropes has been Opened

November 30, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 54.1 MB

Is it fae-re to say that retellings of classical myths make good romance novels? Listen in to find out for your s-elf! Margie is telling Rachel all about Elise Kova's A Deal with the Elf King. Shout out to our Patrons for recommending a book so that Margie can finally read a good one! Check out our Instagram  :  Twitter  :  Facebook  :  Goodreads  :   Website

Ep. 81: 0 to 666 in Nothing Flat

November 16, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 50.5 MB

Who said spooky was only relegated to October? Certainly not us! Your co-hosts are getting spooky again with In Her Thrall, by Chloe Parker! We're here to answer the age old question: if one dude is good, are 3 better? Check out our Instagram  :  Twitter  :  Facebook  :  Goodreads  :   Website

Ep. 80: Technical Difficulties

November 02, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 40.3 MB

Margie is back this week battling technical difficulties, an absentee co-host, and hot mob bosses to bring you a brand new episode! And can we just say, she crushed it. This week, Margie tells a super secret guest all about Cruel Saints by Michelle Heard. Is this the good mafia romance we've all been waiting for? Check out our Instagram  :  Twitter  :  Facebook  :  Goodreads  :   Website

Ep. 79: Guess Who's Back...Back Again

October 19, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 45.1 MB

Your favorite co-hosts are back with a spooky vengeance! Rachel tells Margie all about The Ex Hex by Erin Sterling. There's nothing like a brand new, wholesome-yet-spooky romance to kick off the season! Especially when it's this good! Check out our Instagram  :  Twitter  :  Facebook  :  Goodreads  :   Website

Ep. 78: The Secret Cupcake

September 21, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 52 MB

Strap in for the most problematic book Rachel and Margie have ever discussed. This week Margie tells Rachel all about Vow to Protect by J.L. Beck and Monica Corwin. A book full of kidnapping, questionable murder choices, and Mafia purges! Check out our Instagram  :  Twitter  :  Facebook  :  Goodreads  :   Website

Ep. 77: Angel Fire (Not the Website) feat. Disaster Girls

September 07, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 56.4 MB

What happens when interesting characters are thrown into a completely insane world? What happens when your boyfriend can give you a steady supply of drugs? What happens when those drugs are constantly shedding off of his...wings?! Nalini Singh's Angel's Blood is what happens! Listen in this week as Rachel tells Margie and Amanda (of the Disaster Girls Podcast) all about it! Check out our Instagram  :  Twitter  :  Facebook  :  Goodreads  :   Website

Ep. 76: Space Maleficent

August 24, 2021 04:00 - 58 minutes - 39.9 MB

What's this? A second sci-fi romance?! Your Co-Host Margie takes Rachel back into the final frontier as she tells her all about Grace Goodwin's The First Starfighter! Because what's a good sci-fi romance without a complete breakdown of the laws of physics? Check out our Instagram  :  Twitter  :  Facebook  :  Goodreads  :   Website

Ep. 75: How Would You Feel if it was Worse?

August 10, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 61.1 MB

This week, your co-hosts Rachel and Margie pose the question: how bad can a bad guy be? Turns out pretty bad! Rachel tells Margie all about Mary Jo Putney's, Silk and Shadows. Secondary question: How bad can a romance hero be? Check out our Instagram  :  Twitter  :  Facebook  :  Goodreads  :   Website

Ep. 74: The Worst Avatar

July 27, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 55.2 MB

Grab your old-timey jungle hats and Khui-nine, we're going on a good old-fashioned space colonialism adventure. Your Co-host Margie is telling Rachel all about Ruby Dixon's Ice Planet Barbarians! Just in case you were wondering what all of this blue horned and horny alien hype was all about! Check out our Instagram  :  Twitter  :  Facebook  :  Goodreads  :   Website 

Ep. 73: We're All Horses

July 13, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 52.6 MB

Your Co-Hosts Margie and Rachel are going back underground! Specifically to the Shifter underground! Listen in as Rachel tells Margie all about Bears Behaving Badly by Mary Janice Davidson! We all have whiplash from this one, so strap in!

Ep. 72: When You're Here, You're Family

June 29, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 51.9 MB

Happy Pride!  Have you ever wanted to buy one of those sexy firefighter calendars? Okay but have you ever wished they were more gay? This week, we'll make all of your wished come true! Margie tells Rachel all about Damon Suede's Hot Head, and we discuss the finer points of the Olive Garden's fine dining experience!

Ep. 71: Not Gay...Probably (feat. The Ladies of Strange

June 15, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 58.1 MB

Happy Pride Month! Your co-host Rachel is joined by Tiffany and Rebecca from The Ladies of Strange as they discuss Olivia Waite's, The Lady's Guide to Celestial Mechanics. Science? Check. Feminism? Check. Gay? So many checks!

Ep. 70: Sweeney Clog

June 01, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 62.6 MB

Your Co-hosts Rachel and Margie are back with some special guests! Margie tells Rachel and the folk of What the Horror about Night's Immortal Touch by Cheryln Jac. There's nothing like a good vampire romance novel to get back into the swing of things!

Ep. 69.5: The Crystals Told Us

May 18, 2021 04:00 - 2 hours - 88.7 MB

Due to some unforeseen circumstances, this week we are releasing one of our Patreon holiday specials for everyone to hear! We had an extremely fun time recording with our special guest. Please enjoy this little extra-sode! We will be back with a new episode on June 1

Ep. 69: Nice

May 04, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 82 MB

In honor of 69 dissected romance novels, Rachel and Margie tackle one of the most popular romance novels of all time, 50 Shades of Gray by E. L. James. It only took 69 episodes for Your Co-Host Rachel to break, but it finally happened

Ep. 68: Chronic Wet Disease

April 20, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 51.2 MB

The folks at Harlequin Romance Novels are at it again! Margie and Rachel are unpacking the bananas plot of Susan Mallery's, Accidentally Yours. Because with money, anything is possible!

Ep. 67: The Act of Love (feat. Irritable Dad Syndrome)

April 06, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 52.5 MB

Have you ever wanted to sit down and have a conversation about smutty romance novels with a dad? Well don't worry, we did it for you! Your Co-hosts Rachel and Margie are joined by Mike and Darin of Irritable Dad Syndrome to discuss Cora Reilly's, Sweet Temptation

Ep. 65: Supplemental

March 27, 2021 04:00 - 49 minutes - 34.1 MB

Due to some technical difficulties, our previous interview with author Lauren H. Mae was not released in its entirety. We were super fortunate to be able to record AGAIN with Lauren! Check out this awesome interview that was so much fun! Huge thanks to Lauren for sitting down with us again!

Ep. 66: Snacrifices

March 23, 2021 04:00 - 1 hour - 51.3 MB

Your co-hosts Margie and Rachel are dipping into the wild world of non-romance romance novels! All of the marketing of a romance novel, with almost none of the love! Crazy right? Listen in as Margie tells Rachel all about Carrie Vaughn's, Kitty and the Midnight Hour!

Ep. 65: Gurl!

March 09, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 48.6 MB

This week, Margie and Rachel are going on vacation! To a great book! Listen in as Rachel tells Margie all about Lauren H. Mae's, The Catch. We're all about good communication,  consent, and character growth here at Textual Tension!

Ep. 64: Horny for Some Self Sacrifice

February 23, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 43.4 MB

In a turn of events that shocked no one, Rachel and Margie picked similar books again! We're headed back to Medieval England again as Margie tells Rachel all about Virginia Henley's, The Dragon and the Jewel.  Who's ready for some serious misrepresentation of historical figures?

Ep. 63: Non-Consensual Shrek

February 09, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 43.4 MB

Ah Ye Olde Times. A whole bunch of terrible diseases, serfs that were basically slaves, and extremely questionable attitudes towards women. Romantic, right? Your co-hosts are going back in time and discussing Johanna Lindsey's, Defy Not the Heart. 

Ep. 62: A Moment of Healing

January 26, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 51.2 MB

Who's ready to REALLY kick off 2021 on a high note? Margie is here for you with an incredibly wholesome listener recommendation! Listen in as she tells us all about The Flatshare, by Beth O'Leary. Our listeners just give us the BEST books!

Ep. 61: To the Vampire Vatican! (feat. The Ladies of Strange)

January 12, 2021 05:00 - 1 hour - 58.6 MB

It's finally here! What better way to kick off the new year than with an unprecedented crossover? Now what if that crossover were also a long awaited sequel to our ongoing Twilight series?! Your co-hosts Margie and Rachel are joined this week by The Ladies of Strange to talk all about Stephenie Meyer's New Moon! Get ready for a ride everyone!

Ep. 60: Space Balto

December 29, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour - 54.4 MB

SPACE. Some would call it the final frontier. We just call it a fun setting for a stellar romance.  Join Rachel as she tells Margie all about Amanda Bouchet's, Nightchaser. Because let's be honest, who doesn't love a good space opera?

Ep. 59: Cats on Cats on Cats

December 15, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour - 49.7 MB

Don't hit that Paws button! Your co-hosts are here with a Purr-fectly wholesome episode to get you through your week! Listen in as Rachel tells Margie all about Talk to the Paw, by Melinda Metz. And don't miss your opportunity to cat-ch up on some big announcements for our Patreon! 

Ep. 58: Scientology Fanfiction

December 01, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour - 47.7 MB

Cults? Kidnapping? Werewolves? Could this get any stranger?! Believe us. It can and it will. There might even be some robots that show up. Listen in as Margie tells Rachel all about Captive by Gale Stanley. 

Ep. 57: I NEED More Pictures of Spiderman

November 17, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour - 50.4 MB

Ah yes. The late 1930s. Full of "modern" women, Hollywood glitz and glamour, and....MURDER?! Your co-hosts are going back in time to an era never seen before on this podcast! Listen in as Rachel tells Margie all about Amanda Quick's, Close Up

Ep. 56: Does This Rag Smell Like Chloroform to You?

November 03, 2020 05:00 - 1 hour - 46.9 MB

No gags or hilarious witticisms today! Just a good, classic, funny-sometimes-sweet-and-ridiculous episode! Feel free to use this as a nice, wholesome distraction from anything that may be going on! Listen in with us as Margie tells Rachel all about Julia Quinn's, The Other Miss Bridgerton! Who's ready to watch the TV series in December?

Ep. 55: I Think My Mom Just Killed a Guy

October 20, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 45.3 MB

Are you feeling cozy? Maybe in the mood for a good comfort book? We've got you. Margie and Rachel fall back on an old favorite author as they discuss Lisa Kleypas's, Secrets of a Summer Night. Because nothing says cozy like a fire, some coffee, and some Victorian-era scandal!

Ep. 54: Probably Not Mitch McConnell

October 06, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 49.1 MB

Everybody Vogue! This week is all about modeling agencies, arranged marriages, and thinly veiled references to specific American Senators! Listen in as we discuss Stella Gray's, The Deal. 

Ep. 53: This is Your Brain on Drugs

September 22, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 49.4 MB

Holy Angels Batman! Rachel and Margie are headed off to Heaven, with a few stops at some seedy early 2000s nightclubs along the way. Rachel tells Margie all about Gena Showalter's Wicked Nights.

Ep. 52: A Heart Condition Called Love (feat. Movie Virgins)

September 08, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 54.8 MB

Have you watched one of the most viewed movie of 2020 on Netflix yet? Don't worry. We've done it for you! Listen in as Margie tells Rachel, along with Leah and Lindsay of Movie Virgins, about 365 DNI. Turns out, problematic romance tropes don't work well in film form either.

Ep. 51: Children Prophesy the Darndest Things

August 25, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 53.1 MB

All we want is to be swept away to the castle beyond the goblin city to hang with Jareth for the rest of forever. Is that so much to ask? That's not even that long at all! Laura Thalassa's Rhapsodic doesn't quite hit the mark on that one, but that doesn't make it any less fun to talk about!

Ep. 50: Playing the Gay Card

August 11, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 46.7 MB

It's a 50th episode spectacular! And it was definitely meticulously planned! Play along as Margie tells Rachel all about My Lady's Choosing, by Kitty Curran and Larissa Zageris. Just like we definitely planned. 

Ep. 49: History Has It's Eyes on You

July 28, 2020 04:00 - 1 hour - 47.1 MB

We're heading out of the darkest timeline this week into the world of Casey McQuiston's, Red, White, and Royal Blue! Who knew a political romance could leave us with so many warm fuzzy feelings?!

Twitter Mentions

@ttensionpod 42 Episodes